The
usages and law of nations, the events of history, the opinions of
philosophers, the sentiments of orators and poets, as well as the
observation of common life, are, in truth, the materials out of
which the science of morality is formed; and those who neglect
them, are justly chargeable with a vain attempt to philosophise
without regard to fact and experience, the sole foundation of all
true philosophy.
[Sidenote: Chap. X. 1621-1634]
"If this were merely an objection of taste, I should be willing to
allow, that Grotius has indeed poured forth his learning with a
profusion, that sometimes rather encumbers than adorns his work,
and which is not always necessary to the illustration of his
subject. Yet, even in making, that concession, I should rather
yield to the tastes of others, than speak from my own feelings. I
own that such richness and splendour of literature have a powerful
charm for me. They fill my mind with an endless variety of
delightful recollections and associations.
Pages:
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169